Softball Falls In Pitching Duel To No. 3 Auburn

Sunday, March 20

Starkville

11:30 AM

Mississippi State

19-8, 1-2

#3 Auburn

26-4, 3-2

Auburn

Mississippi State

Softball Falls In Pitching Duel To No. 3 Auburn

March 20, 2016 | Softball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

STARKVILLE, Miss. – A pitching duel ended in the Mississippi State softball team (19-8, 1-2 SEC) dropping the rubber game of a three-game Southeastern Conference series 2-0 to No. 3 Auburn (26-4, 3-3) Sunday at Nusz Park.

The Bulldogs outhit the Tigers 4-1 on the afternoon, but were unable to get a run across against Auburn pitching. Juniors Katie Anne Bailey and Caroline Seitz both earned a hit apiece, as did sophomore Calyn Adams and freshman Sarai Niu in a pinch hit role.

“The pitchers have been doing a great job all year,” head coach Vann Stuedeman said. “They complement each other well and do well with each other. Coming into the series I thought they were confident. They are hanging steady and doing a good job for us.”

Auburn scored first in the third inning on an MSU error that scored Bree Fornis and Kasey Cooper. After that, pitching and defense continued its dominance for both teams.

The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the sixth, but were unable to cut into the lead before falling 2-0 in the series finale.

Junior Alexis Silkwood (0-3) drew her second start of the weekend in the circle for the Maroon and White. Silkwood allowed one hit and two runs—both unearned, while walking five and striking out four in three innings of work. In the fourth she was relieved by freshman Regan Green, who struck out five on the day after having struck out two in her initial inning out of the bullpen. Green finished out the game for MSU, working four no-hit, shutout innings.

Auburn starter Rachael Walters (4-2) allowed no runs on just two Bulldog hits, while striking out five and walking a pair of batters. She was lifted after 4.1 shutout innings. Walters was relieved by Kaylee Carlson after she allowed two MSU batters to reach base in the top of the fifth.

Carson worked the final 2.2 innings for Auburn and earned her second save of the year while striking out three and walking a pair of MSU batters.

MSU will take a break from SEC play with two midweek games at Nusz Park against Southeastern Louisiana (Tuesday – 5:30 p.m. CT) and Central Arkansas (Wednesday – 6:30 p.m.). Both contests are rematches from games earlier this season in which the Bulldogs won. Admission is free for all regular season games at Nusz Park.

For more information on the MSU softball program, follow “HailStateSB” on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also find all-access coverage of the Bulldogs on SnapChat by searching for “HailStateSnap.”